Crime

Former Billerica police officer indicted on child rape and pornography charges

The charges Alexander Allen faces are based on allegations that as an adult he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female victim.

A former Billerica police officer has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of rape of a child and possession of child pornography, officials announced Wednesday.

The charges Alexander Allen faces are based on allegations that as an adult he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female victim, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a statement.

Allen, now 35, allegedly met the victim when she was 14 years old and engaged in sexual relations with her two months before her 16th birthday, in March 2021, the office said. 

Authorities said Allen also asked the victim to send a naked photo of herself, before she turned 18.

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In 2023, Allen allegedly told another officer about the relationship. Then, on Dec. 3, 2023, Billerica police found out about allegations against Allen involving an “improper relationship with a then-18-year-old,” according to a statement from the department.

The department launched an internal affairs investigation, and Allen, a Billerica officer since 2018, was placed on paid administrative leave as of Dec. 5, 2023.

The next day, Billerica police hired Discrimination and Harassment Solutions LLC to conduct an independent investigation into the matter, police said, and on Dec. 14, Billerica police contacted the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, which opened a criminal investigation.

The DA’s office then asked that Billerica police end its internal investigation to “preserve the integrity of the DA’s criminal investigation,” the department said.

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Allen resigned on Dec. 18, 2023.

Allen was indicted on Oct. 3, and “another officer was placed on paid administrative leave on Tuesday, Oct. 8, pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation into potential violations of departmental policy related to this case,” the department said.

Allen is set to be arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on Oct. 25.

“The allegations against Allen, if proven, are deeply disturbing and represent a betrayal of the oath sworn by police officers to protect the innocent and serve the public with integrity,” Police Chief Roy Frost said in the statement. “There is no room in the Billerica Police Department for the abhorrent behavior alleged in this case.”

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Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news for Boston.com, reporting on breaking news, crime, and politics across New England.

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